So I messed up.
To my knowledge, I have never deleted an email from a reader or listener. But just today, right before recording, I did. So whoever you are, this week’s podcast starts off with my heartfelt apology and an answer to your question.
Along with that little bit of Q&A, I interact with two other bits of feedback that will be worth your while.
Thanks for listening!
Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.
In the previous article I commented on how appreciative I am for all the clicks you’ve given Casting Across over the past eight years. I also shared what I plan to think about over the coming months as I put together content on the site.
Today, I’m looking back. I’m not looking all the way back. I’m only taking a glance at the previous 365 days.
Below I’m sharing four posts that garnered a lot of reads and downloads from you. I’ve picked four categories from the site and linked to each post. Also, I’ve added a word or two as to what I think about each piece – and why I assume you responded so favorably.
Thanks for reading the first time through, and enjoy the best of the best one more time below.
Thank you.
Why? Well, you’re reading this article on this website.
And while I’d be writing something, somewhere if I weren’t creating content for Casting Across, I’ve been doing this for the past eight years because you are reading this.
Over 1,250 posts and I don’t have plans on stopping anytime soon. In fact, I have designs on what might be coming up in the near future on Casting Across. Interested? I’ll share what I’m thinking below.
But first, I want to ask something: Could you pass the site or the podcast along to a fly fishing friend? I don’t pay for marketing or spend time trying to optimize my search engine ranking. Casting Across relies on word of mouth, social media shares, and the like.
And here’s what you, and anyone you refer to Casting Across, can expect:
Casting Across is not a “gear review site.” But it does feature quite a few gear reviews.
And, apparently you like them.
My gear reviews receive thousands upon thousands of views every year. I usually keep those opinions confined to the specific articles, but because there are a lot of thoughts that surround the gear and how I’ve used it over the years I thought I’d mention them on the podcast.
Today I’m talking about the top three gear reviews (by views) I have on Casting Across.
Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.
Sometimes, I get asked questions; questions to which I have a standard response. Here are some examples:
Do you golf?
No. I’m terrible at it. And the last thing I need is another expensive hobby.
Do you bike?
I’m afraid I’d get run over on these New England backroads. And the last thing I need is another expensive hobby.
Do you ski?
I’ve tried it. I can go fast, but I can’t stop. It isn’t ideal. And the last thing I need is another expensive hobby.
I type these words for my fly fishing website, surrounded by over a half dozen bookshelves, in the heat of another duck season. I’m obviously not opposed to diving head (and wallet) first into an activity that interests me.
Do you have a fly shop?
Only a generation ago, it would be virtually unthinkable for a committed fly fisher to answer “no.” Fly shops were one got gear, got information, and got community.
Today, the internet can and does provide all of those things. But we all know that it isn’t the same. Statistics show that all demographics desire the tangible and the personal after years of virtual.
So, if you are a committed fly fisher: do you have a fly shop?
If not, I’ve got you covered. Here are three things you ought to do when looking for your fly shop.
Sometimes it takes something jarring to get you to realize that you’re not as safe as you thought.
While fly fishing isn’t a risky or dangerous activity, the fact of the matter is that it has elements of risk and danger. Why? It is outside, it is near the water, and you can’t control everything all the time.
Today I share a few sobering anecdotes, along with ways to stay safe on the water. You’re never going to eliminate risk and danger. These are four things you need to know that will hopefully limit what could turn a good day into a tragic one.
Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.
Google doesn’t just answer questions. Google gives you questions that you might not even know you want to ask. Then, it gives you some answers to those questions.
What a time to be alive.
There are plenty of things that are informative and/or entertaining about the internet. But the multifaceted, user-centric experience of a goliath search engine like Google provides the meticulous web surfer with plenty of fodder for observation. Such as the four most common or most consistently asked questions regarding fly fishing.
They are, at least as of today, as follows:
These are all good questions. A bit vague, but good. And while Google has answers for each one of them, I thought I’d give it a shot.
Now, something like “what is the point of fly fishing” has been the nucleus of novel-length treatments. But in the spirit of quickfire online responses, I’ll keep my answers short. So here is what I have to say, internet:
October is a relative plateau on the calendar before a fast, precipitous drop into the busyness of November and December. By the time you skid to manageable pace in the new year you’re playing catch up while also gasping for breath. And, for much of the country, this is being done underneath a blanket of heavy snow.
This is why I am a big advocate of nailing down some early year priorities this far in advance. Potential vacations, house projects, and kids’ sports can (and should) be penciled in three months in advance. While you’re at it, make sure you block off a weekend for the closest stop on the nationwide tour of The Fly Fishing Show.
Outdoor expos are an excellent way to spend a cold Saturday in January. They serve as launch pads for trips, skill goals, and general enthusiasm for the coming angling season. There are numerous local fly fishing shows and larger events that include fly fishing, but The Fly Fishing Show is the marquee expo in the US.
Check out the lineup of shows for 2024 below, and start making plans today to get out to a great indoor fly fishing event:
My introduction to fly fishing was on small, intimate rivers and streams. The first time I waded into a broad, sprawling trout river I was confident I wasn’t going to catch a thing.
But you know what? I did. And by employing a few simple techniques I landed more big river trout that day… and quite a few more in the decades since.
Today’s episode is a classic three-step how-to. I share three things that you can do to build confidence and get onto fish as you chase them in even the widest flows.
Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.
